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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l1. W, A. OGLETHORPB. SEIP STEERING GEAE N0. 499,569. Patented June 13, 1893.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. A. OGLETHORPE. SHIP STEERING GEAR No. 499,569. A Patented J'une13, 1893.

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W. A. OGLE'THORPE.

SHIP STEERING GEAR. Q' 9 569. Patented June 13,1893.

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W. A. 0GfLETHORPE.v

SHIP STEERING GEAR Patented June 13, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM A. OGLETHORPE, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

SHIP STEERING-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,569, dated June 13, 1893. Application tiled July .13, 1892. Serial No. 439,920. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ALLAN OGLE` position, and for relieving the rudder and gear of excessive strains caused by heavy seas.

In the drawings which serve to illustrate my invention, I show examples of steering gear embodying the combination of all my improvements.

Figure l is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 an end view of one example of gear according to the invention. Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C are respectively an elevation partly in section, a plan, and an end View, of details of parts of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 5 is a plan, illustrating the uid distribution valve of the apparatus. Fig. 6 is an outside elevation and Fig. 7 is an end view of a modiication of the invention. Fig. 8 is a side view and Fig. 9 a plan of another modification.

In the different figures and modifications herein given the same letters of reference are used to denote the same or like parts wherever they occur in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l, 2, and 3, a designates a duplex steam pump of any suitable kind, the action of which is after the well known manner of this class of pumps known as duplex pumps, that is, one which may be stopped by shutting off the supply of steam to it and when the steam is again admitted to its steam cylinders it will start of itself; however any pump which will do thismay be used in lieu of a duplex one.

h is a hydraulic cylinder; c is the piston rod of said cylinder, through the covers of which it works, it being provided with a piston b within h in the usual way.

CZ and e are crossheads mounted ton rod c and on the pisprovided respectively with pulleysor sheaves f f2, and f3 f4.

g is a liquid reservoir or cistern into which and cushioning gear, for ther purpose of placing the rudder in any required the liquid is pumped and withdrawn. by the apparatus.

Regarding the parts connected with the pump a., a designates a chest within which a suitable steam supply and cutoff valve a works, a2 being the valve rod thereof. In the same line with this rod a2, and connected thereto, is a valve ro'd h of the oil or other liquid distribution valve 7L (see Figs. 4. and 5).

a3 is the feed or intake pipe of the pump, the feed being taken from the tank g.

a4 is the pump delivery branch which conveys the liquid from the pump to the center of the valve h.

h2 are pipes leading from the valve h to the opposite ends of the cylinder b, and by which the liquid is conveyed to and from the said tank and the valve. The relief valves fix to the cylinder?) (which are of the ordinary lift type) are provided at each end thereof in the valve casings i, and the liquid which maybe forced past said valves at anytime, is conveyed out of said casings into the tank g by the pipes 'i'.

i2 are the spindles of these two valves, and these two spindles are normally pressed away from each other, and the valves kept upon their seats, by a single spring 3.

For convenience, the pipes h2 communicate with the ends of the cylinder bby way of the valve casings t' of the relief valves, such communication or passage being of coursev disposed on the cylinder side of such valves.

As regards the chain or rope connecting the apparatus with the tiller of the rudder, one end of said chain or rope is shown in dotted lines and designated It is fixed to the apparatus, say aty (Figs. lv and 2) and passes over the smaller pulley f4 of the two on the crosshead d, then back round one of the pulleys j mounted on the cylinder b, then over the larger pulley f3, on the crosshead d, and then back and away to the tiller to which it is fixed. In a like manner the other end of the chain will be fixed to the apparatus in the same manner, and passes over the pulley f', then over the other pulley j', then overfg, and back, and to the tiller. To obtain these passings and runnings of the chains or ropes, so that the pistons should be subject to no oblique stresses, and to avoid the different parts of these from touching or rubbing IOO against each other, the axes of the pulleys in the crossheads CZ are set at an inclination to each other, while the two of them, f and f4,

.are made smaller than the other two f2 and 5 f3. The pulleys jj2 are also disposed on axes.

at different angles in order that the chain or rope shall lie parallel with the centerline and direction of motion of the piston rods c.

To actuate the steam supply and cut off valve a', and admit steam to the cylinders of the pump a, the valve rod a2 is connected up to a hand steering mechanism m shown in Fig. 3 through the. device I will now describez-Onto a bracket k, I mount a bell crank lever la', having at one end of it a nut k2, through which the screwed end Z of the rod Zfrom the steering mechanism m, works. To the other end of the bell crankI attach, by a pin joint connection n3, a duplex lever n, the lower end of''which is connected to the crosshead d by the rod fn; and to this lever n, at a small distance below its joint n3 with the bell crank lever k', namely, at n2, are fixed or mounted rods k3, the other ends of which are connected to the valve spindle d2. This mechanism operates somewhat after the manner of an ordinary marine engine reversing gear cut off mechanism, that is, when the bell crank lever la is moved either one way or the other by the actuation of the hand steering mechanism m, it moves the upper end of the lever n, and so,through the connecting rods 708, gives movement to the steam admission valve a* of the pump a and admits steam therein. Atthe same time it moves the valve h, and the liquid from the pump o. is distributed to one or other end of the cylinder b, according to the direction in which the hand wheel of the steering gear is moved, and the rodl rotated. The consequent movement of the piston rods c and crosshead d, is, that the rod n moves the lever n, and so the connecting rods k3 are moved in the opposite direction to which they were moved by the movement of the bell crank lo', and the steam supply valve in a is actuated and cuts off the supply of steam to the pump, and at the same time brings the valve h tothe central or neutral position and locks the liquid in the cylinder b.

It may be here stated that the pump a. always works in the same direction, and it is only in the distribution of the liquid from the pump by the valve h that the reversal of direction of motion of the piston rod and pulleys supported thereon is effected. By thus adapting the pump to be set in motion and stopped as and when desired, no accumulator is required.

Referring to the construction of the valve h shown in Figs. lv and 5, it will be seen that it consists of two pistons o o', connected together by the parts owhich in turn are con- Y. uected to or froin part of the valve rod h".

The position of the valve shown in the drawings is its central or neutral one, and is that which it takes when the pump is stopped and the liquid locked in the opposite ends of the cylinder b. i When, however, the valve is moved as just described, the liquid from the pump passes by way of the delivery pipe a4 thereof into the central part of the valve and between the pistons o o', and thence to one of the branches 03, whichever of the two may be in communication with a4, to one end or other of the cylinder b, through one of the pipes h2; while the other of the branches o3 will be in' communication with one of the branches 04, which communicate with the tank g through the pipes h3; and thus the liquid from the other end of the cylinder b, which is exhausting, would pass by the communication thus formed to the tank g, from which it would be drawn by the pump through the return or feed pipe a3. Thus it will be seen, that, accordingly as the valve h is moved in one direction or the other by the action ot' the steering mechanism m, the liquid iiows by one or the other of the branches o3, and so to one or other of the ends of the cylinder b; and that the other of said branches o3 becomes, for the time being, the exhaust branch by which the liquid from the other end of said cylinder is passed to the tank g.

Generally then, the whole operation of this apparatus is as follows:-When it is desired to change the position of the rudder, the hand steering mechanism m is moved in the desired direction, whereupon, steam is given to the pump a by the opening of the valve in a', and it is set in motion. Liquid is so drawn from the tank g and forced through the valve h to one or other end of the cylinder b, according to which direction it is desired to move the piston thereof, and the crossheads and pulleys thereon, the discharge of liquid from the opposite end of the cylinder being adapted to take place through the valve 71, into the tank g. The result of the movement of the piston and the pulleys connected on the end of the piston rod c thereof is, that the chain or rope is taken up by one set of the pulleys (ff2 or f3f4), and the same amount is paid out by the other set'of pulleys. Of

course the tiller (to which the chain or ropeV is connected in any known way), and with it the rudder, is moved by the chain or rope taken up by the out traveling pulleys, and the chain or rope on the inwardly traveling pulleys is paid out to the tiller.

In case a sea strikes a rudder with abnormal force, shock, and consequent straining thereof, is prevented or obviated by therelief valves t', which lift by the abnormal pressure thereby brought upon them, and allow liquid -to pass from that end of the cylinders in whichr such liquid is subjected to the said abnormal pressure. The liquid thus relieved passes into thetank g. The movement of the pistons and crossheads, due to this cause, effects the actuation and opening ofthe steam supply valve in a through the rod n', lever n and links 7c3; the pump will therefore be set going, and will force liquid into that end of the cylinder from/which it had been forced IOO ITO

by the striking of the rudder by the sea, until the position it stood at when the incident happened, is reached; d

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the crossh-eads el and e are each provided with a single pulley instead of two, asin Figs. 1-to 3. In this case the center of the axes of these pulleys lies coincidently with the center or axes of the piston rods c and cylinder b, while the vertical planes in which saidpulleysff3 lie cross each other as shown. The pulleys in this case are of the same size. This arrangement is designed to prevent'the part of the* chains a; passing round the pulleys f and f 3,

from fouling each other, and to cause the pressure on the piston rods c to pass through its center or axes. Otherwise than in this respect this apparatus is the same as that shown in Figs. l to 3.

As regards the position or arrangement of the steering gear shown in Figs. 1 to 7 in relation to the rudder, it is to be observed that it may be placed at any desired part of the ship, as the chains may be led and guided as desired.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the two cylinders b, and rams, c, are used in lieu of one; butin this case they are single acting, and the rams are Vdirectly connected to the tiller of the rudder. Otherwise than in this respect, this apparatus is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In these Figs. 8 and 9 the relief valve casings and their pipes t', and springs 3, are shown, as are also the pipes h2 which connect the Valve h with the cylinder b, and by which liquid is conveyed to and from said cylinders.

The rudder head is designated r, and the tiller s, the connection of the rams c (which are coupled together as shown) to the tiller being eected by a sleeve t working on lthe rounded end of such tiller, and bytrunnions or journals t working in the coupling of the rams c, as shown. The coupling of these rams constitutes a loop around the tiller.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, it is to be understood that this invention isv not conined to the particularconstruction of parts herein set forth with reference to the drawings, nor to the particular constructions or disposition of said parts, but Y Whatis claimed in respect of the herein described invention is d 1. Steering gear for ships comprising the combination of a duplex or equivalent steam pump, a hydraulic ram apparatus such as described, connected with the rudder, a tank into which the ram apparatus discharges or exhausts itsliquid, and from which the pump draws liquid, and suitable inlet and outletpipes connecting said hydraulic. ram apparatus and'pump with said tank, the steam pump bein gadapted to be started and stopped and to force liquid into said hydraulic apparatusandmove the rudder in one direction'V or the other, substantially as and forthe purposes vset forth.

2. Steering gear for ships, comprisinga duplex steam pump, hydraulic ram apparatus such as described, a tank into which the ram apparatus discharges or exhausts its liquid Vand from which the pump draws liquid, and

suitable inlet and outlet pipes connecting said hydraulic ram apparatus and pump with said tank, and automatic cut off mechanism operated by the action of the said hydraulic apparatus by which the steam supply to the pump is automatically controlled, operating substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

3. Steering gear for ships comprising a cylinder, a piston Working in said cylinder having a double piston rod Working through both ends of the said cylinder, anda pulley or pulleys on the end of each piston rod, and chains or ropes Working over said pulleys and cylinder, as described and connected with the rudder tiller; operating substantially as set forth.

4. Steering gear for ships comprising a steam pump, and a hydraulic cylinder or cylinders with rams or piston rods with a pulley or pulleys on both ends thereof, and chains or ropes working over said pulleys and crossing each other or running in opposite directions, said pulleys being of different sizes, or disposed angularly to each other as set forth,

whereby such chains or ropes are adapted to pass each other without fouling and to cause the stress to pass through the center of said rods or rams. y

5. In asteering gear for ships, the combination of a duplex steam pump; a hydraulic cylinder or cylinders; a liquid distribution valve by which the liquid from said pumps is distributed to said hydraulic apparatus and moves it in one direction or the other; a steam controlling valveto set said pump in motion; a starting and controlling mechanism actuated byy hand by which said y'steam valve is actuated; an automatic cut off device operated by the hydraulic cylinder by which said steam supply valve is reversed, steam cutoff, and the pump stopped; anda tank g connected by suitable pipes with the hydraulic cylinder or cylinders and the liquid distribution valve and into y which exhaust or escaping liquid is passed, and from which the pump draws its liquid; substantially as set forth.

6. In hydraulic steering gear, the combi-A nation of a steam pump to force the liquid, a hydraulic ram apparatus such as described connected thereto and actuated bythe liquidy forced by the pump, a hand operated mechanism by which the steam supply Valve of the pump is open to any degree according to the amount it is required to turn the-rudder, 4and an automaticcutoff mechanism operated Vbysaid hydraulic apparatus V"and -by-Which aftervthe rudder has been moved the said desired amount by the actuation of saidhand operated mechanism, the supply of steam to the pump 'is automatically cut oft' as soon as IOO IIO

the rudder reaches the position required, and the liquid in the hydraulic apparatus locked therein.

7. Steering gear for ships comprising a steam pump; a hydraulic apparatus such as described operated bysaid pump; a steam supply controlling Valve; a liquid distribution valve connected with said pump and hydraulic apparatus; liquid relief valves on said hydraulic apparatus; and an automatic valve operating mechanism adapted to move and set said steam and liquid distribution valves by the movement of said hydraulic apparatus 

